randomplaces | Welcome to the Backwater

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Welcome to the Backwater

Picture a paved square, faced by the backs of various brownstones and ringed with couches of various sizes. One of the buildings is marked 'Visitor Centre', and beyond it seems to be a park of some sort. The paving of the square is white, and broken up into large square blocks that are so neatly set that there are no edges to trip over. Some blocks are missing, so that trees can grow out of these spaces. The square has a light scattering of couches spread around it, and these couches vary from something people from a no frills reality would think of as for dolls, to a massive white thing that's bigger than a mobile home. Between the square and the green space of the park is a road paved with common pavement made from old rubber tires, and there are trees growing wild all around that park. In the distance, over the trees, can be seen something that looks like a larger version of Mad King Ludwig's castle, and some sort of cliffs.

There are people in the square, many look human, and many don't. They mingle with mostly easy going equanimity, asking questions and answering them, chatting, getting oriented by reading books and pamphlets, or just selling sandwiches. Up in the sky, which looks fairly normal, float four islands that look something likes the ones off that movie with the blue cat things, and a flock of five houseairships, one of which is round. The Visitor Centre is an A frame with two windows and a door on the front, and a sign along the top that says, "Ask a question."

Welcome, newcomer, to the Backwater Nexus.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Lots of info zinging in from literally several angles all at once for Vik.

Though the drink and food had knocked out 99% of her symptoms, still, this was a dizzying experience.

She looks up at the one offering goodies and simply says, "please? And thank you so much." smiling widely at her.

She glances between Ratchet and Aoife, not quite sure how to proceed. Her southern manners were a triffle conflicted.

She looks at Ratchet and softly says, "Thank you. Now it makes perfect sense why you were familiar. Yep, you're in tv shows where i come from too. You remind me of my folks, my dad specifically. He was a DI, civilian aviation combat trainer during World War II. Stationed near Pearl; Hickam Field. He was shot up on the 7th.. like many were."

She pauses to look at her lap a moment, "That and other hats he wore. He was a hard working man." She looks back up at him, "You impress me as having his brand of guts."

Vik cocks a soft grin at Ratchet, "You talk just like him, dangit. Pleased to meet you. Maybe I'll have the chance to get acquainted with the *real* Ratchet this go'round, instead of the fictional one."

She shakes her head slowly, "sorry 'bout the 'chief' thing. It was poorly worded. He woulda snapped me on that too."

Vik looks over to Aoife.

"I'm pleased to meet you Aoife. Thanks so much for your drink! It really put a kaibosh on one of my worst glucose crashes. I truly thank you.

Vik looks up and gratefully receives another yummy doughnut from above, then looks at everyone all around.

"Well, if i don't step on toes, or rumple feathers someway, I'd really like to get to know all of you..."

She hesitated a bit, "I- I'm not used to being... Not too many give a durn 'bout me where i came from. Thank you all for... you know... caring enough to help."

She sighs. "I dont know how to thank you all. I don't think I'm used to so much kindness all at once."

Vik looks at Ratchet, then Aoife. She didn't know who to ask, so she asked both of them; "would it be possible... maybe, if i could stay here? In the Backwater someplace? I.. i don't get around too good. But maybe i can contribute back to the community some way? Cook maybe? Teach people to cook if they don't know how, or wanna learn? I dunno, i do a little art, make some things from scratch. Micro garden a little too, as i can. If its alright, that is."

She ducks her head a little. Waiting for the bad news, because that's usually how it goes. Why should things change now? Life back in her reality was.. she pops the doughnut in her mouth and nibbles it slowly.

Edited 2019-09-21 04:14 (UTC)

Aoife exchanges glances with Ratchet, and then the bot sits back as the small organic woman looks back down at Vik.

"Well, this is a town. Despite where it is, it's a lot like other small towns. There are a lot of empty houses, if you don't mind a McMansion that time forgot... things tend to just wash up here. And Ratchet's not actually our local Ratchet. He and his wife and daughter are just visiting for breakfast and some shopping. He wouldn't be against seeing you around, but he doesn't know when he'll be back after today." A quick glance toward Caldera as the baby glances at her and then a nod. "And Caldera says that Antsy wants to stay and take care of you. That's why he's sitting on your leg."

Vik blinks at Aoife, a little bewildered. She'd never considered there could be any other answer than 'no' to her remaining in the Backwater. It took a moment to absorb the fact she hadn't been rejected off hand, as life typically dealt out.

"I... wait, I can stay here? With all of you?" Her mind exploded in every direction with all the possibilities, lovely future experiences and the intense hope that gave her.

She stammered, stumbling over several sentences trying to express themselves all at once. She clamped her mouth suddenly, closed her eyes and held up a finger to reign in her racing thoughts. She sighed and resolved to start over, and to make sense this time.

"Aoife, are you saying i might stay here? Really?!" Then what Aoife said about Ratchet clinked into place in her head. "Wait... Ratchet is a different Ratchet than.. what did you say, your 'local' Ratchet? You mean he has twins, or there's more Ratchets?"

Vik's hand had clutched Antsy to her heart. It was an instinctive thing; many times he had been close this way when she was dealing with things, both good and bad. Thank the Lord, this time he was comforting her through some very good things.

The goofiest of cockeyed grins spread across her face, replacing her previous befuddlement.

"The Backwater's a fairly free country." Aoife grins, absently accepting something from someone Vik won't be able to see, and then carefully spreading a black Shetland shawl over the woman for a little extra comfort and warmth. "Though it won't let some people stay, the fact that it brought you here through a portal is a pretty good indicator that you're allowed to be here. And what I said about Ratchet... Well, this is a nexus between realities. Theoretically, anyone, from any place, time, or possibility can come here. Alternates often form lasting friendships, and refer to each other as alter siblings. Like that." She nods to where two Optimuses of Ratchet's tech are conversing together quietly and earnestly, the lights of a fire for roasting sausages glancing off their metal skins. But if Vik looks again, she'll see that one of those twins is slenderer and clearly female despite lacking anything like breasts, lipstick, or eyelashes. The other Optimus is a youthful looking giant with proud wings on his back, and a serious and compassionate face.

Wowwed and collating all of Aoife's words, Vik looks over to the indicated twins. The possibilities boggled her mind.

She snugged the lovely shawl close, thanking Aoife for it, then realized she hadn't the right undergear on for a public outing.

Her eyes popped and she tugged the shawl across her front, feeling very much exposed. Well, this place *had* yanked her from her home before she'd fully dressed for the day. She laughed nervously and hoped she didn't look the way she felt.

Vik cleared her throat and attempted to regain her aplomb. "The Backwater certainly seems to be far more than what meets the eye." she shakes her head slowly, still sorting all the details, "Thanks for explaining Aoife. Man, did i ever fall down the assumption-rabbithole."

Vik gives Ratchet a serious look, "Ratchet, please forgive me for interrupting your family outing, and for misunderstanding who you are. I hadn't a clue you weren't who i thought. I assumed you lived here."

About then, the aroma of roasting sausages reached her nose. She wished she had room, but she was still full from all the doughnut goodies and Aoife's drink.

Edited 2019-09-27 21:29 (UTC)

"You don't need to worry about that," the gruff old bot says soothingly, the finger that had touched Aoife's head now gently touching Vik's. "My wife's over there talking to her alternate, anyway." He nods toward that lady Optimus. "And if you find your way to the Black Dog you'll probably find me there about once a week, because I usually come for Ratchet Poker Night." Then his eyes flick to Aoife as the young woman makes a quiet comment.

Aoife has just noticed a cloud of little blue and red twinkles around Vik. "Oooops."

Vik, you might find yourself hungry now, and wearing a comfortable zip front sport bra.

Vik warmly grins at Ratchet, and pats his hand companionably.

"Thanks for being understanding. Hah, even at this age, i can still be a little wet behind the ears..."

She realizes her expression might puzzle more than edify. "Meanin', I'm out of my element here, for the time being. I'm hoping by the time we catch each other again, that I'm better about knowin' my way around the Backwater."

Vik chuckles, "The Black Dog, eh? Gotcha! Ratchet, i know nothing 'bout poker except its a good card game. Maybe i can watch you guys on Ratchet Poker Night sometime? Maybe learn how to play it that way."

Vik sees a flitter of colorful sparkly things as she's speaking to Ratchet, but didn't actually pay it much mind until Aoife's words sunk in. Followed by the sensation of things being ...better contained, which surely caught her attention. Her eyes bug.

"Oh!" Vik's head snaps downward at her chest, realizing she isn't indecent anymore. She looks back up slowly, then leans conspiratorily close to Aoife.

She whispers, "That's a neat trick! Ya *gotta* teach me that one sometime, Aoife." then grins at her.

Vik's stomach chose then to add emphasis to Aoife's words, "Yep, you're right! I'm feeling a gnawing fer sure. That sausage aroma's been killing me for a while now! Any chance of maybe having one or two?"

Vik remembers when she used to make gobs of sausage hoagies for friends coming over. She doesn't care if she can't make a hoagie this time. As Aoife said, she was now mighty hungry!

Edited (Edited) 2019-09-29 01:44 (UTC)

"Actually, watching them might just be a good way to learn how to cheat," says Aoife absently, her free arm coming up and disclosing the adorable knitted sleeping doll baby that she's holding as she turns toward the conversing Optimuses. "Oppy! Are you granting wishes blind again!???"

"What? No," comes a male voice. "God said yes to both of those."

The big Optimus with the wings turns toward Aoife, his mouth curving into an amused grin, and the movement bringing a human looking guy on his shoulder into Vik's line of sight. "He checked."

"Oh. Okay. Sorry, little Oppy." Aoife turns back to Vik.

Yeah, she just called the biggest Optimus over there "little".

Vik chuckles and shakes her head.

"Cheating in poker is a finely tuned artform, I've been told. It's just theory for me, fun to watch though." she mentions quietly watching for a telltale reaction from those present.

She grins, amused that so much of a person's inner character can present itself during many types of games.

She waves at the Optimus pair, thinking the smaller guy sitting on the biggest one's shoulder looked like he might be a mischievous, fun person. She hoped she could get to know them all.

"That's a cute doll, Aoife." Vik says, absently fiddling with Antsy's anteater nose, enjoying the softness of the little bean-filled stuffie.

Aoife cocks an eye at Ratchet's big cheesy grin, then snorts softly and turns back to Vik, her expression going gentle. "This is my friend Mabyn's daughter, Lowena. I'm babysitting her today. Would you like to hold her while I go get you some sausage and milk?"

Vik goes all gooshy as she had with Caldera earlier, fascinated and cuted out.

"Sure i would!" she says as softly as excitement would allow her, as she didn't want to wake the cutie. She gently cuddled little Lowena, softly tucking Antsy in along with the wee one.

Vik glanced up at that cheesy Ratchet-grin, and Aoife's reaction. She chuckled to herself, 'thought so' she thinks to herself and grins.

Vik smiles and whispers, "Thanks Aoife."

Edited (Avatar) 2019-10-06 01:10 (UTC)

Lowena feels as soft as bamboo yarn can feel. She also feels very warm and alive, while still having that squishy plumpness that a knitted dolly always does. When Vik takes her she moves slightly, her expression changes a little, and then she snuggles and goes right on sleeping.

Aoife grins again, and then hops off the back of the couch and jogs toward the fire, passing right under the female Optimus as that lady heads in Ratchet's direction.

And here is Nightwish, sitting and stooping down to be a good height for talking.

"We must go," she says softly. "It's time for me to bring Caldera and the other girls to school. Perhaps we'll see one another another day."

Over behind her, and behind Ratchet, Caldera is standing between two other little Cybertronian girls of a more classic construction. They're both about a foot or so taller than her, and one is a soft buff-coloured child with quiet and smiling blue eyes, while the other is golden and has the watchful attitude of a seasoned Marine on dangerous duty.

Vik looks into the little one's sleeping face. "Perfection. Lowena, you are every bit an angel. I hope you stay an angel." she says almost too softly to be heard, snugging her blankie a bit better around her.

Hearing the familiar voice of Nightwish, she looks up and nods to her, understanding.

"Nightwish, it was great to meet you and Caldera, i hope we get that chance again too."

Vik smiles at Caldera and her companions, waving gently, so as not to jostle Lowena.

"Take good care Nightwish, and thanks again for all you did. God bless you."

"We come nearly every morning, since the Prime's daughter wants to attend the school here." Nightwish nods in return, then turns her head to watch as two of the little girls wave back and the golden one frowns watchfully. "And I was only doing my job." She turns back to give a quick small quirk of a smile, and then raises gracefully to her feet without using her hands and walks away.

"Hem," says Ratchet softly, his gruff old voice now holding a trace of awkwardness and pride. "Vik, this is my wife. Optimus Magna."

The lady Optimus looks tired from this close, but she's got a friendly and kindly smile for the lady on the couch, and she's leaning slightly against Ratchet as he puts an arm around her waist.

Vik notes the frowny one's gaze. "Wow" she mouths silently. "That is one serious soldier, right there." she says softly to no one in particular.

She smiles back at Nightwish as she rises without effort. Vik shakes her head in wry appreciation. 'You guys make it look so easy.' she thinks inwardly, wishing it could still be that easy with her own joints and bone structure.

Just then, Ratchet introduces his wife. Vik looks up at her and smiles widely, "I'm happy to meet you Optimus Magna!"

She looks at Ratchet, "You didn't tell me she's so pretty, Ratchet!" Vik notices she looks kinda weary though, and wishes she could help some way.

"I hear you're visiting the Backwater on a family trip today. I hope its been a good one so far."

"It's been good so far," says Optimus, her optics glinting with wry humour. "The kid's only run off. Nothing's exploded."

For a moment Ratchet looks like he's bitten a lemon, but then his expression clears. "Nightwish says she just joined their group and is going to school."

"Oh. Good. We won't have to pay for property damage there," blurts Optimus, then blinks and looks at Vik, her cheeks pinking as she wonders if those sentiments are going to set the human mother off. "She's a science and medical unit, and she can't always judge whether it's a good idea to explore something or not."

Vik looks deadpan at both of them, blinks, then belly laughs like thunder. She shakes her head and gestures 'time out' with both hands. She wipes a tear and tries to speak, gasping to catch her breath.

"Oooh, oh man, You two.. *chuckles* its okie, relax, I'm a parent too. Sometimes stuff goin' 'boom' just goes with the territory."

"Optimus, with kids, they don't need to be a science or medical unit, to misjudge whether *anything* they do is a good idea to explore or not, they just do!"

Vik looks up at them still struggling against the roflcopter,

"You know what got to me? The looks on your faces! I've had that more times than i like to admit."

Vik chuckles, her eyes sparkling with mirth, "Besides, whos judging? I'm not! Trust me, i get it."

Vik stretches her back. She'd been sitting long enough to get a catch there.

"Parenting never comes with instruction manuals, does it? We do our best, exhaust ourselves keepin' everything spinning, teach them right, model it, and hope we've taught them well. That and pray! A *whole* lot."

Vik grins up at them. It was good to see she wasn't alone in the world of parenting.

Ratchet makes a throat clearing sound and rubs the back of his neck during the laughter, then quirks a brow as he listens to what Vik says. His eyes go toward his wife's face.

"Yes, but I'll bet your kid has never made a seasoned politician cry," says the Magna, that wry humour intensifying in her expression. Then she glances toward a squeak.

Lowena's sitting up now, rubbing her eyes with little fists as she stretches and squeaks with the effort of it. Out of her blanket, it can be seen that she's wearing a little Shetland lace dress over a striped onsey that is her body. Her dark hair's standing up in all fuzzy directions.

Vik glances at the adorable squeak and makes an 'oopsimsorry' face. "Aah! Red alert: cuteness overload! All shields are down, Cap'n!" she says in a mock Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott accent.

She gently, playfully bounces little Lowena, tickling her and making silly words and sounds. She tries to straighten Lowena's hair 'splosion into what she hoped was order, then straightened her pretty dress a bit, tucking her blankie neatly.

"Well hello Miss Lowena, sleep good, sweety?" Vik's smile spreads into a goofy grin, then blows a soft raspberry on Lowena's belly.

Vik glances up at Optimus, "Haha, nope, got me on that one! Seasoned politian, eh? *That* is impressive! The most crying mine ever caused was her teachers, social workers, therapists and moi. Just her usual."

Vik shakes her head from the dark memory and grins back to Lowena. She changes her voice to something silly and cartoony, "I bet you never made anybody cry, didja-didja?" giggles and blows a quick, zippy raspberry on Lowena's fingers, grinning like a goofball.

"They are our hearts, whether they make us overjoyed, or overwhelmed, aren't they?" She smiles at Optimus and Ratchet, "Your daughter sounds like she is the stuff of a leader. I will pray for her and you both. I bet she is one fantastic girl."

There's pain in her eyes. To hide it, she quickly turns her face to Lowena, smiling warmly, concentrating on the precious, new life in her arms. Inwardly she prays for little Lowena too. She smiles and singsongs an old silly-song she knows well, and other silly songs to entertain Lowena.

Vik introduces Lowena to Antsy, mimicking what she thinks Antsy might say in return to meeting Lowena.

Then she realises Lowena may like to meet Lynxie. Lynxie is crochet, soft, green and likes to hide in pockets and other places. Vik explains all of this to Lowena, as she pulls Lynxie up for Lowena to see.

Edited (Editing) 2019-10-17 11:01 (UTC)

Lowena frowns with quiet interest as the hand she puts up to push away the pooty sound at her tummy gets a pooty sound too, then regards the dolls with a little smile as she listens to the nice lady. Her attention is diverted as Ratchet makes a throat clearing sound.

"Would you like to meet the young ladies that gave the little cakes?" he asks Vik, his mouth twitching as Lowena gives him her intent and interested frown even as she fishes through her blanket for something.

Vik notes that Lowena isn't enjoying the raspberries. That was puzzling. Most babies would be laughing hysterically by now and begging for more. At least most would in Vik's reality.

She smiles gently, and apologizes to Lowena for the raspberries. "Forgive me little Lowena, i thought you'd like them, since they sound silly and tickle. I won't do that again." Vik smiles sheepishly.

She hears Ratchet and looks up. "Oh, I sure would Ratchet, please?"

Lowena makes a little smile and shakes her head, then pulls a wooden doll bottle with handles out of her blanket and holds the pointy end to Vik's face, her expression going intent.

And Ratchet grins, hugs his wife with one arm, and waits till the doll baby is finished.

Vik blinks for a sec, then grins happily. It had been so many years, she was a tad shocked she'd forgotten this game. She pantomimes sucking the baby bottle, making nom-nom sounds.

"Yuum-yum! Thank you, that was nummy!" and very gently snugs the little dollbaby. "Do you think Antsy and Lynxie would like a sip maybe?"

Vik holds up Antsy and Lynxie for Lowena to see, and giggles at herself. She can't believe she'd forgotten this little game.

Lowena nods and carefully feeds both small dolls, then pats them gently before patting Vik and putting the bottle to her own mouth and giving every indication that she's having a very enjoyable drink. As she drinks her embroidered eyes turn up toward Ratchet.

"As I was saying," says the old medic gruffly, pointing high up and behind Vik's couch. "This is Mouse."

Mouse... is huge. A humanoid behemoth of sandy coloured metal with massive tank treads along the sides of her arms and legs, and a titanic cannon poking up from behind each shoulder. Yet despite her size and her obvious combat build, and the fact that Vick probably can't see her face from that distance and angle, her looming as she sits there behind the couch is unmistakably benign.

Vik is patted and grins a goofy grin at Lowena, gently cuddling her a bit.

Vik then looks in the direction Ratchet indicated and felt that same awe she did when meeting Nightwish earlier. She grins up at this huge person, liking her very much already.

She gently waves upwards with one free arm, "Hiya Mouse, it's nice to meet you! And thank you for the goodies!"

Vik loves the Cybertronians. They're so much more impressive and amazing in person, than on a show. Vik admires them, each one seems to have their own uniqueness, their own specialties.

And why should this seem unusual? Every living soul is exactly the same; each has that one thing that sets them apart and makes them who they are, and thus special.

Vik sighs. She is amazed and delighted in meeting each one.

Edited (Editing) 2019-10-31 22:43 (UTC)

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...

Re: messin' with the gal...